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Irrigation is one of the most critical aspects of natural grass management. The amount of water, timing (morning, noon, or evening), and frequency of irrigation all depend on the type of turfgrass, soil conditions, and local weather patterns. Proper lawn care requires a deep understanding of these factors, along with real-time analysis to ensure effective watering. Unlike ornamental lawns in parks, football fields face unique challenges due to high-traffic use—players running, jumping, kicking, and sliding on the surface can cause significant wear and tear. Therefore, irrigation should be carefully managed: it's best to apply water once, with longer intervals between sessions, especially during peak usage times rather than in colder periods.
In many school and practice football fields, the increased use by athletes combined with sandy soil makes manual irrigation difficult. Most systems rely on mechanical automatic sprinklers, which often overwater or run too frequently, leading to inefficient and uncontrolled watering. This unscientific approach can lead to early plant death, stunted growth, disease, and frequent pest infestations.
Soil moisture plays a key role in plant health. Not all water in the soil is usable by plants. When the soil becomes dry enough, plants begin to wilt, and this point is known as the wilting coefficient. On the other hand, when the soil is fully saturated, excess water drains away under gravity, and the remaining moisture is called field capacity. Effective water content refers to the amount of moisture that roots can absorb, measured in millimeters per centimeter of soil depth. The ideal range for effective water tension (PF) is between 2.5–2.7 (field capacity) and 3.9–4.2 (wilting point). Different soil types have varying capacities within this range.
For example, in a sandy football field with a 20cm soil depth, the effective water content would range from 6.6mm to 16.6mm. The deeper the root system, the more water the plant can access, reducing the need for frequent irrigation. However, factors like grass species, temperature, mowing height, and soil compaction also influence irrigation needs. These variables must be studied and tested before achieving successful lawn management.
Irrigation is closely linked to evaporation and evapotranspiration. For cool-season grasses, daily evaporation is typically 0.65–0.8mm, while warm-season grasses experience about 0.55–0.65mm. In temperate regions, evaporation rates usually fall between 2.5–7.5mm per day. Based on these values, irrigation intervals can be calculated. For instance, if the soil holds 15mm of water and evaporation averages 5mm per day, irrigation should occur every three days.
However, irrigation frequency isn’t just influenced by evaporation—it’s also affected by transpiration, temperature, and the efficiency of the irrigation method. Sandy soils, common in football fields, hold less water, so improving the soil structure by adding organic matter, minerals, and soil conditioners can significantly increase water retention. This can extend irrigation intervals by two to three times compared to pure sand.
There are several methods to determine irrigation intervals, including theoretical calculations and sensor-based monitoring. Soil moisture sensors provide direct data, while surface temperature measurements can also help identify when irrigation is needed. If temperatures rise above certain thresholds, cooling irrigation may be necessary.
The amount of water applied during irrigation is crucial for seedling development. While there is no universal formula, scientific methods combined with practical experience are essential. For example, in sandy soil, the available water at a 15cm depth is approximately 25.4mm. For a standard football field (7000m²), this translates to about 210 tons of water. Exceeding this amount can harm the grass.
Different soil types have varying levels of effective water. Fine sand has a low field capacity (0.5%), while cohesive soil holds more. The wilting coefficient and effective water content vary accordingly, as shown in the table below:
| Soil Type | Field Capacity (%) | Wilting Coefficient (PF) | Effective Water (mm) |
|------------------|--------------------|----------------------------|------------------------|
| Fine Sand | 0.5 | 3.5 | 3.0 |
| Micro Sandy Soil | 30.2 | 7.7 | 22.5 |
| Cohesive Soil | 30.5 | 17.5 | 13.0 |
In addition to soil type, different grass species have varying water requirements. Cool-season grasses, such as fescue and ryegrass, are less drought-tolerant and require more frequent watering, especially during hot periods. Warm-season grasses like zoysiagrass and Bermuda grass are more resilient but still need proper irrigation. Sprinkler systems are often used to cool plants and reduce stress during heatwaves.
Overall, effective irrigation requires a combination of scientific knowledge, real-time monitoring, and tailored practices based on the specific conditions of the lawn. By understanding the relationship between soil, grass, and climate, managers can maintain healthy, durable turf that supports high-performance sports.